Egbert lamont



(NQ Model.)

R. LAMONT. Hat Blocking Mach-inne.

` No.v 236,233. Patented- Jan. 4,1881.

ing is a specification.

y 3 is a section, in large size, of the pin-holders.

5o the screw-hooks inserted into the hat-blocks.

Miserie@ Srnrns .Aralar ROBERT LAMONT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

HAT-B LOCKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,233, dated January 4, 1881.

I Application led November 29, 1850. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Beit known that l, ROBERT LAMoN'r, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Hat-Blocking Machines, of which the follow- Hat stretchers and dies have been made for stretching, forming, and shaping hats, and in some instances the blocks have been operatedbya treadle. Pins have also been permanently introduced into the dies used for shaping hats, which pins have held the f'abric while being operated upon.

My improvement is made with reference to applying heat to the hat while being stretchedv and shaped, so as to allow the same to assume the properl form more easily than it would if the stretching and shaping operations were performed upon the hat in a wet condition, and the hat is also dried upon the blocks; land I provide a peculiar device for moving one of the hat-blocks and stretching the hat, and there are removable pins for holding the edge of the hat-brim in position upon the block.

In the drawings, Figure is an elevation of the steam-table and vertical section of the hatblocks. Fig. 2 is a plan of the saine; and Fig.

The steam-tableA is made as a hollow metal box, to which steam is conveyed by a suitable pipe, b, and cock, and the water of condensation is discharged by the pipe c. This table is supported by a frame or legs. Upon one side of the table A there is fixed a standard, d, and at the other side a pulley, e.

The hat-block is made of metal, in two parts, e and j'. These blocks are of the proper shape for the crown and brim of the hat, and the same will be varied according to the style of hat to be stretched and shaped. The block e is secured by a bolt, i, passing through the slotted upper end of the standard d, and the block f has connected to it a wire cord or strap, l, passing over the pulley e to the spring m and treadle n.

The bases of the blocks e and f are made with slots in line with each other, and into which the contractile spring ois introduced, the ends of said spring being hooked upon This contractile spring draws the blocks e f together when not otherwise operated upon.

There is a stop, i', upon the top of the steamtable, that is provided with a slot and clamping-screw, so as to be adjustable, and the same determines the amount of movement that can be given to the block f by the treadle, and, consequent] y, the size to which the hat is stretched. There are holes in the brim portions of these hat-blocks ej', near their edges, into which are inserted the short cylinders s, preferably of brass, that can be easily taken out or replaced. Their upper ends, however, are level with the surface of the brim of the block, and through each there is a central hole for the reception of au ordinary pin, the head being downwardly and the point projecting enough for the hat-brim to be secured by being pressed down upon the points of the pins after the hat has been placed upon the blocks.

It is to be understood that theheat from the steam-table is communicated to the blocks, and

these being a heavy mass of iron the heat is?v retained and accumulates, and that when a moist hat or hatbody is placed upon the hatblocks it rapidly becomes heated, and the` operator spreads the brim and secures it upon the. pins. He then partially separates the hatblock sections by pressure upon the treadle, and the treadle may be held by one of the teeth of its rack-bar o, with which it is brought into contact. After the hat becomes warmer and partly stretched, the treadle may, if desired, bel further depressed until the blocks are separated to the proper limit, or the full limit to be stretched may be done at one operation, and the hat is then allowed to dry or set While under strain, so as to properly shape the hat.

It will be evident that the spring between the cord or strap and the treadle allows for the treadle being moved without a sudden strain being applied to the hat 5 hence the fabric is gradually stretched and injury avoided. In case of either pin becoming injured another pin can be introduced after the short cylinder has been lifted.

The pins that hold the edges of the brim are preferably small, so as not to injure the fabric; hence they are liable to be injured. In my Inode of introducing these pins they can be IOO very easily replaced, aud ordinary brass or iron pins can be used, and they hold the brim out while being` stretched.

I claim as my inventionl. rlhe combination, with the steam-beauner table, ofthe hat-blocks e and j', the standard connecting the block e to the table, the cord or strap Z, the treadle n, and the adjustable stop r, to limit the opening movement of the blocks, substantially as set forth.

2. rEhe combination, With the hatblocks and f, of the removable cylinder s, introduced into holes in the rim of the hat-blocks, and havin g central holes for pins, substantially as set forth.

3. The hat blocks niade in two parts and adapted to being heated, in combination With ROBERT LAMONT.

Witnesses GEO. T. PINCKNEY, WILLIAM G. MOTT. 

